The Clyde & Co Bright Futures programme is a week-long scheme which offers first-year law students and penultimate-year non-law students the rare opportunity to gain an insight into life at an international law firm.
Attendees of the Bright Futures programme spend one week in one of Clyde & Co’s world-renowned departments and shadow a lawyer who is an expert in their field. Over the course of the week, students have the opportunity to observe sophisticated legal transactions, develop an understanding of the firm’s core industry sectors and learn how the firm assists their clients in achieving their commercial objectives. Candidates are also allocated a trainee ‘buddy’, who will be on hand throughout the week to answer any questions.
‘Students need to be conducting their research into the legal industry earlier and earlier. We wanted to offer a longer programme where first and penultimate year students (depending on their degree subject) could come in, actually sit at a desk and see first-hand the work that trainees do at the firm’, says Rebecca Babb, Senior Graduate Executive at Clyde & Co.
It’s not all about work, though. An array of social events take place over the course of the week, giving trainee hopefuls the opportunity to network with colleagues across Clyde & Co and giving an insight into the firm’s culture. ‘We very much see the Bright Futures programme as a way of generating brand awareness and securing students’ commitment to the firm early on’, says Rebecca.
At the end of the week, participants of the Bright Futures programme might be saying goodbye to their desk but they certainly won’t be saying goodbye to the firm. Far from being simply a week’s work experience, students will have the opportunity to continue engaging with the firm right up until they start their second or final year at university. Those who impress will be encouraged to apply for the following year’s vacation scheme and get the opportunity to be fast tracked through to the vacation scheme assessment centre.
This year’s Bright Futures programme will take place between 4 – 8 December. Applications are open now and close on 12 November 2017. To apply, click here.
The Changemaker Hub are able to help you with your application, make an appointment online on the Changemaker Portal, accessed via your student hub.
